Chapter 86

 

“Now!” Sandy ordered, taking a surprisingly strong hand. “We have no time to dawdle here, ladies. Let’s get this thing moved!”

No one questioned her authority. The bank manager in her had stepped to the forefront. With all four of them shoving, the vault lid swung aside. They stopped pushing when the large container was half open.

“Suitcases?” Tiny Amber had to stand on tiptoe to see into the depths. “Why would the vault have—?”

“It makes perfect sense,” Pen said, reaching over the edge and tugging at the handle of the nearest one. “Bags like these would hold a lot of jewelry, plus the men could grab them and leave at a moment’s notice.”

A roar sounded in the distance, some type of large vehicle coming on fast.

“No time for explanations, girls. We’ve got to get out!” Sandy again spurring them on.

“I’m not leaving without my necklace if there’s a chance it’s here,” Pen declared.

“Quickly then!”

They began digging with a vengeance. Two airline carry-on bags, three duffles. Pen unzipped a duffle bag which was filled with small pouches and boxes. Through the cloth of a gray velveteen bag she felt a familiar shape. She tore at the drawstring top and reached in.

“Oh, my.” Gracie’s breath caught.

“It’s my piece,” Pen said, her eyes glowing. As she touched the stones a vivid memory of her mother flashed forward, telling Pen about her grandfather’s heroic efforts to get the family out of Russia at the most dangerous time, their trek through miles of wasteland until they reached the sea and stowed away aboard a freighter, all the while carrying the final remains of his once-thriving business.

“Pen, we need to—”

“Yes, you’re right,” she said.

“Wait,” Amber said. “Look at these.”

In one hand she held an exquisite enameled egg encrusted with sparkling gems. A small box revealed a diamond ring.

“I think these are the pieces we read about, things taken from individual owners. I want to return them.”

“We can’t possibly man—”

The roar of vehicles grew louder. Sandy stood at the doorway. “Men are surrounding the house. If we don’t get out now we never will.”

That settled it. Pen zipped the velveteen bag inside her coat pocket. Amber pocketed the egg and the ring. The rest of it would have to be sorted out by the police. Pen left with a backward glance, hoping the rightful owners would all get their things back.